An 18-year-old from Union, S.C., who was trying to steal copper had part of his hand blown off along with the skin of one arm, according to the Cherokee County sheriff.

Sheriff Steve Mueller said that on Monday, three men who were looking to steal metal went to an old brickyard in Cherokee County thats still used for storage. The property still has power to it, Mueller said.

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Mueller said the teen cut a 220-volt power line and it exploded.

A deputy who was responding to a domestic call in the same area and passed by the brickyard and saw a car outside that he thought was suspicious. After he completed his response to the domestic call, the deputy stopped at the brickyard when he saw smoke coming from the building. The deputy said he saw three men climbing through a fence and getting back into the parked car.

The deputy stopped the car, and said the 18-year-olds body was literally smoking. The deputy said the skin from the mans arm and shoulder area peeled down and was hanging off of him. The man had also lost parts of his fingers.

Mueller said teen, later identified as Jonvon Spears, was airlifted to the Augusta Burn Center and charges are pending against him if he makes it.

Mueller said the other two men, 23-year-old Donzell Martin and 18-year-old Leontay Jeeter, who are also from Union, suffered minor burns and were treated at Upstate Carolina Medical Center and then booked on charges of third-degree burglary.